His slow steps brought him to the side of the bed.
Catherine craned her neck back to keep his face and chest alone in her view.
His red hair hung over his shoulders, falling onto his bare chest. His damp flesh smelled of salty sea air and he stood with his hands at his sides in relaxed arrogance.
“Tonight, Catherine, we sleep together.”
Chapter Six
Catherine froze, keeping her steadfast gaze on the captain’s eyes. Aware that her response must not be hesitant, her thoughts raced and her inner voice cautioned her actions.
She smiled, buying herself precious time and realized that she should not shy away from inspecting his body. He probably assumed she wanted to view all of him, and all things considered, it would give her extra time to think through her dilemma.
She sat straight up, her fingers going to the pearls hanging down around her neck and coiling part of the long strand around one finger. With a soft blink she drew her gaze away from his.
She had never observed a naked man before and suddenly her mind focused on a sobering thought and her smile blossomed. This was her chance to learn about the male anatomy. She could study him at leisure in hope of procuring more knowledge. If she kept that thought in mind and viewed his nakedness as a learning experience, perhaps, just perhaps, she would succeed in keeping him from her bed.
The captain remained silent and still. He didn’t even blink an eye. He undoubtedly had expected this reaction from her and stood prepared.
Courage in hand, her gaze wandered to his chest. She was familiar with the breadth of his taut, hard muscles and his sun-drenched skin. His midriff was tight and flat not a bit of fat marred his waistline unlike so many men. More slowly, her gaze descended lower. She held it steady for a moment, her well-bred nature warning her that her actions were not at all proper. But then what choice did she really have? To admit her innocence would surely mean the end of her innocence. With a soft blink and a forceful breath of courage, she allowed herself to look. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped opened. He was large all over.
“I can safely assume from your surprised reaction that your lovers were not generously endowed.”
Catherine struggled to find her voice and a response. With speech impossible, she leisurely licked her dry lips not realizing how her innocent reaction resembled sensual hunger.
The captain released that low growl that Catherine had become so familiar with. She had agitated him and if she could continue to do so he would leave her alone. The more aggressive her actions, the more he avoided her.
Determination kept her eyes focused on his manhood, which she thought looked bigger then when she had first set eyes upon it. She dismissed the thought as nonsense, anxious to be rid of him.
She lazily shifted her gaze up to his and casually reclined to rest on her side. She drew back the white linen sheet covering her, careful to keep her own body concealed, and in a whisper, afraid if she spoke any higher her nervous voice would betray her doubt, she said, “Do join me, I’ve never enjoyed a man of your ample size.”
Lucian took an angry step forward and then stopped himself. He stood posed in thought for a brief moment— then he moved. He braced one knee on the bed and descended slowly over Catherine, forcing her onto her back. He braced his hands beside her head as his mouth rushed down on hers.
Shock made her mouth drop open and he took her reaction as an invitation. His lips captured hers and his tongue glided smoothly into her mouth.
She responded out of innocence and surprise, her tongue darting around his. Her hands ran urgently over his chest in thought of pushing him away only to realize his strength wouldn’t allow her an escape. With no choice left to her she hesitantly settled her warm palms against his hard chest muscles.
Lucian cursed his impulsive actions. She teased him like a consummate harlot, her tongue forcing a chase that heated his loins. And her small hands had wasted no time in seeking out his flesh. They rested comfortably against his nipples, causing them to harden against her touch. He couldn’t help but wonder how her small, delicate hands would make him feel if she explored his body further.
His thought shocked him back to reality and he pulled away from her, his teeth tugging at her bottom lip as he left her.
Catherine arched up afraid he would bite her lip clear off.
His hand swiftly moved to her chest and he shoved her back down on the bed. “No more!” he shouted, and threw himself on his back beside her.
The bed bounced and the ropes squeaked from his weight and Catherine released a grateful sigh of relief.
To Lucian’s ear it sounded more like disappointment. “I will not satisfy your lust, madam.”
Catherine gave no thought to a response. She was too busy attempting to calm her racing heart. She had thought for sure that he intended to have his way with her and thus discover her lies.